Beryl Marion Henderson (née Minifie) passed away peacefully on December 22, 2021, after 95 years filled with love, travel and adventure. She will be greatly missed by her husband of 74 years William (Bill) Richard Henderson, daughter Joan Oystensen (John), grandchildren Jason Thomas, Megan Thomas (Mark) and Brittany Parmentier (Maxime), great-granddaughter Alix Parmentier, sister Marjorie Deg (Walter), and sister-in-law Daphne Minifie (Jim). She is predeceased by father Richard Minifie, mother Hilda (Hudson) Minifie, brother Jim Minifie (Daphne), and sister Rae Gallagher (Jim).
Beryl was born in 1926 and spent her early years on a farm northeast of Vanguard, Saskatchewan. She and her siblings attended Malvern Link School, a one-room schoolhouse that was just a walk across the fields from home. In Grade 10, Beryl and her family moved to Vanguard and she finished her education at Vanguard Community School. She met Bill Henderson in Grade 12, and after helping him through his studies, they were married in 1948 at the United Church in Vanguard where Beryl was part of the choir. They welcomed daughter Joan in 1952. In 1959, the family moved west to Haney, B.C., and together Bill and Beryl opened the first Dairy Queen in what is now known as Maple Ridge. They worked side-by-side at the counter, and a love of soft serve ice cream has been a family trait ever since.
Beryl was very active in ladies curling at the curling club in Maple Ridge. She was also a lifelong fan of the sport, rooting for the top teams on television alongside family and friends. Beryl was known for her impressive knitting and crochet skills, including her unique style of pot holder that is a mainstay in family kitchens. She was also always up for a game of cribbage and tried to be patient when opponents were slow to count their points.
In retirement, Beryl enjoyed spending time at the beach in Maui, taking memorable trips to Mexico, and driving the highways of the U.S in the well-travelled motorhome she shared with Bill. They met many friends along the way, especially at RV parks in Arizona and California. Beryl will also be remembered for the countless hours she spent in the bleachers at equestrian events, in weather of all kinds, proudly cheering on her daughter, and later her grandchildren, as they moved from riding ponies to clearing jumps as high as horses are tall.
Despite the challenges of progressing dementia and failing eyesight in her last few years, Beryl was always curious to know what was happening in the lives of her family and enjoyed sharing memories of years past. Bill and the rest of the family would like to thank the staff at Rosewood Manor in Richmond, B.C., for their loving care of Beryl over the past three-and-a-half years.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. in Beryl’s memory are appreciated.